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Canon 0345B005AA overview

1Description

Ranging from portrait-length to medium telephoto, the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM from Canon is a versatile tele zoom characterized by its relatively lightweight and compact design. Its optical layout utilizes one ultra-low dispersion element to control color fringing and chromatic aberrations for improved clarity and a Super Spectra coating has been applied to suppress flare and ghosting for greater contrast. Complementing the imaging performance, this 70-300mm also features a three-stop-effective Image Stabilizer system that minimizes the appearance of camera shake for sharper handheld shooting. Additionally, a micro USM also affords quick, quiet, and accurate autofocus performance to suit both photo and video applications.

Versatile telephoto zoom is designed for full-frame Canon EF-mount DSLRs, however can also be used with APS-C models where it provides a 112-480mm equivalent focal length range.

Super Spectra coating has been applied to individual elements to minimize ghosting and flare for greater contrast and color neutrality when working in strong lighting conditions.

An Optical Image Stabilizer helps to minimize the appearance of camera shake by up to three shutter speed stops to better enable working in low-light conditions and with slower shutter speeds. In addition to the single-shot standard IS mode, a second mode is also available that is optimized for panning.

A micro Ultrasonic Motor (USM) is employed to deliver fast, precise, and quiet autofocus performance as well as full-time manual focus override.

Rounded eight-blade diaphragm contributes to a pleasing out of focus quality that benefits the use of shallow depth of field and selective focus techniques.

Zoom lock switch can be used to keep the lens at the 70mm focal length position in order to maintain its most compact dimension when not in use.

Canon 0345B005AA reviews

EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens is rated
4.5 out of
5 by
1041.

Rated 5 out of
5 by
WMD from
Excellent Semi-Pro LensI am a professional photographer and bought this lens as a carry-around (since it is lighter and smaller than the "L"s) for taking shots of family and friends for non-commercial use. I have since found that this lens is comparable to the "L" lenses in many ways, and has become a major part of my commercial work as well.
The images produced are sharp and clear, AF is quick and the weight is perfect for normal use. The image stabilizer works wonderfully!
This lens works equally well in both bright and dim light, image quality at max focal reduces a bit but is still highly acceptable.
For the price, this lens is in my opinion, an EXCELLENT choice.

Date published: 2009-08-30

Rated 5 out of
5 by
happy from
Exceptional lensI'm using the Canon Rebel T4I and am loving my experience so far with this lens. I've read some negative things about this lens after I ordered it. They were saying that the picture were clear and crisp at 200mm but not at 300mm and they were also complaining that the lens is very noisy. I will say neither is the case. These must be people that don't know what they are doing. Even at 300mm I have a extremely clear and crisp pictures. I am amazed at the quality of this lens. I wish there was a way to upload my pictures to show you what the quality of this lens really is. well worth the money. Definitely buy one. you wont regret it.

Date published: 2013-09-14

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Pappy from
Excellent lens for the moneyPurchase of this lens was a year or so ago to be used on a 40D. I find it to be one of the best lenses I own, it is used in conjunction with my "L" lenses in the daytime, mainly for quick moving subjects who are unaware of their images being made (used for legal, surveillance type work), it is quick, accurate and provides sharp images at any focal length. This is by far one of the better Canon lenses available at the price...too bad it was not f 2.8! However, I just added a 5D2 for my work and the result with this camera,high ISO and this lens is outstanding! The lens is also used with my regular work of weddings, editorial and event photography.

Date published: 2009-07-03

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Redbeard from
Great wildlife and weddingI bought this lens mainly for sports and wildlife photography and have been extraordinarily pleased. The AF is fast and image quality is excellent. I recently took some photographs of Big Horn Sheep in Glacier National Park from about 100yds away. I was amazed at how crisp the details were of their faces and horns. I've also done some wedding photography with this lens. I've been able to set up in the church balcony with a tripod and get some great candid shots. The lens lock and low weight is wonderful when hiking through the wilderness looking for that perfect shot of a deer or rare bird. All in all, I couldn't go without this lens.

Date published: 2010-07-30

Rated 4 out of
5 by
MSG from
Good ValueI've had this lens for about a year now, and it has been one of my favorites.
The biggest disadvantage I've faced is that this is not a fast lens at all. This is really noticeable on a telephoto lens. If you're taking photos indoors without excellent lighting, you're going to have to make some sacrifices.
That said, with good lighting this lens is very sharp for the price. Even around 300mm I don't notice too much softness in photos. If you're looking for a lens that can perform well outdoors, this might be a good value for you. If you're working with limited light, I don't think I would recommend it.

Date published: 2014-12-10

Rated 5 out of
5 by
The Eradicator from
Super sharpThere are a few minor irritants with the lens. No, the build quality is not the same as an L. No the lens is not weather sealed. Yes, the zoom creeps a bit. Does it produce fantasic sharp images- YES. I own four other L lenses and this lens is just as sharp.Ignore those who complain about softness ect as they must be spending their time in front of a monitor examining pixels not shooting pictures. I also own the 70-200mm F4 Is L and I can barely distinguish the difference. It is super light weight for a zoom of this reach. This means that you are far more likely to bring it with you, especially in the backcountry. Unbelievable value for the money.

Date published: 2011-02-17

Rated 3 out of
5 by
kmcmurtrie from
Small but hazyIf you really need a small and lightweight lens, this is probably the best one you'll find. The rapid focus, small size, and solid IS is nothing short of amazing. I've successfully taken some pictures handheld at night and bumping around in crowds. On the downside, the images are hazy. A large diameter unsharp-mask and black level adjustment are needed in post processing, which about doubles the noise level. Closing the aperture too much while zoomed in causes the front fresnel lens to appear in the photo.
After a few years of light use, I've accumulated quite a bit of dust inside the lens. The internal electronics also needed to be replaced out of warranty.

Date published: 2012-06-18

Rated 4 out of
5 by
pro photographer from
Small yet sharp and practicalI have used this for newspaper concert coverage in very low light situations and for freelance work for winter sports and it has performed well even at 20 below zero. The size of the lense is an added plus while photographing concerts in varying light conditions. Not as sharp as fixed lenses, but for newspaper coverage and sports photography the quality of the images is excellent. A very useful lense. The autofocus has performed well for alpine ski racing in very harsh conditions. I have used a tripod with a 2 second delay for low light concert photography with very good results.